Chessman1504: A classic game in which Fischer demolishes perhaps the greatest defender in chess history in seemingly effortless fashion. His sensitive positional judgement allowed for him to understand the value of Petrosian's bishop, and I would say this distinguishes great players. They have the ability to see the whole picture, so to speak. Idiots like me try to fill in details before even knowing what to look for in anxious fashion. Not so with Fischer and the other greats!

offramp: I read that after Fischer's 22.Nxd7!!!! that Najdorf ran onto the street screaming; Tal tried to set fire to the board with a blowtorch; Bronstein rang the Argentinean High Commission and recited a Kurt Schwitters poem, and Larsen sat in the corner of the room saying Da-da da-da da-da...

This was ALSO the day of Hercules Test 350 in the Nevada desert. This was a neutron bomb, 15 times larger than Tsara Bomba, which was detonated at the exact moment that Fischer played 22...Nxd7!!!!!!!

diceman: <offramp: I read that after Fischer's 22.Nxd7!!!! that Najdorf ran onto the street screaming; Tal tried to set fire to the board with a blowtorch; Bronstein rang the Argentinean High Commission and recited a Kurt Schwitters poem, and Larsen sat in the corner of the room saying Da-da da-da da-da...
This was ALSO the day of Hercules Test 350 in the Nevada desert. This was a neutron bomb, 15 times larger than Tsara Bomba, which was detonated at the exact moment that Fischer played 22...Nxd7!!!!!!!>

keypusher: <Howard: A mystery for me regarding this game is exactly where was the point of no return for Petrosian ? In other words, when was the game lost for good ?>

12....Qd7. Fischer missed the refutation but retained a huge advantage.

I'm teasing, a little, and this game is a strategic masterpiece just like everyone says. But the opening was a disaster for Petrosian. Turning your question around, although many have suggested better moves for Black along the way, it's really hard to think of anything that clearly would have saved the game.

Chessman1504: This is a game that highlights Fischer's true strengths. It left an indelible impression on me, simply because it let me see how well-rounded Fischer really was. Petrosian was no slouch, so such a "straightforward" game must be the work of a chess genius.

RookFile: As I recall, some said that 29.....d4 was a mistake. Not hard to understand why Petrosian played it, he didn't want the king to go to d4. White's bishop became a real menace after 29....d4, though.

An Englishman: Good Evening: <rea>, sorry for the late response, but it doesn't surprise me. According to legend, Petrosian became such a great hero in Armenia after winning the world championship that a woman who gave birth to triplets named them Tigran, Vartan and Petros.

maxi: Independently of how many GM's jumped into La Plata River after Fischer played 22.Nxd7, there are clear evident reasons why that would be a very strong move. In the position Fischer had achieved just before he made the exchange, he had two united pawns on the queen side against one, so he could force a passed pawn. Petrosian had a weak and central pawn, that becomes more and more a liability as pieces are exchanged. After the exchange Fischer has then what is roughly the equivalent of an extra passed pawn, and a bishop that has clear diagonals to both flanks. Not only that, he gets to place both his rooks on the open files. So Fischer's move follows the traditional understanding of chess endgames.

maxi: It seems to me that the best defense for black after the piece exchange of move 22 is to advance and attack with his d pawn. If he waits white will centralize his King and advance his queenside pawns and quickly slaughter black.

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